The Forms of Degree of Comparison
b. Comparative and Superlative forms Comparative are adjectives that end in -er e.g. bigger, richer, and
faster or more e.g. more interesting, more expensive.
34
We use comparative to compare one person or a thing with another person or a
thing.
35
For example: Tiger is bigger than Cat.
Detective Conan is more interesting than Dragon Ball. While superlatives forms are adjectives that end in -est e.g.
biggest, richest, fastest or most e.g. the most interesting, the most expensive.
36
Superlatives degree distinguishes one thing or person from a number of others.
37
We use superlative adjectives to compare somebody or something with the whole group that he or she or it
belongs to.
38
For example: Brian is the tallest boy in the class.
Motorcycle is the most expensive of them all.
Comparative and superlative degree has many forms based on their syllables, their ending in vocal and consonant letter as the following
example below: 1 One-syllable adjective Regular comparison
a For one-syllable adjective form their comparative and
superlative by adding -er and -est to the positive form.
39
34
Martin Parrot, Grammar for English Language Teachers, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2010, Second Edition, p. 79.
35
Michal Swan, Practical English Usage, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, Third Edition, p. 139.
36
Parrot, loc. cit.
37
Foley Hall, op. cit., p. 224.
38
Swan, loc. cit.
39
Azar, op. cit., p. 253.
Table 2.1
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Old Older
The oldest Wise
Wiser The wisest
Cheap Cheaper
Cheapest
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
b For adjectives ending in -e form their comparative and superlative by adding -r and -st.
40
Table 2.2
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Brave Braver
Bravest Late
Later Latest
Nice Nicer
Nicest
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
c For adjectives ending in one vowel and one consonant, form their comparative and superlative by doubling the last
consonant and adding -er and -est.
41
Table 2.3
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Fat Fatter
Fattest Big
Bigger Biggest
Thin Thinner
Thinnest
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
2 Two -syllable adjectives
a For most two-syllable adjectives, more and most are used.
42
40
Swan, op. cit., p. 113.
41
Ibid.
42
Azar, op. cit., p. 253.
Table 2.4
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Famous More famous
The most famous Pleasant
More pleasant The most pleasant
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
b For adjectives ending in -y form comparative and superlative
by adding -er and -est. The -y is changed to -i.
43
Table 2.5
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Happy Happier
The happiest Pretty
Prettier The prettiest
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
c For some two-syllables adjectives use either -erest or moremost.
44
Table 2.6
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Clever Cleverer
More clever The cleverest
The most clever Friendly
Friendlier More friendly
The friendliest The most friendly
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
3 Theree or more syllables adjectives a For adjectives with three or more syllables form their
comparative and superlative by adding more and most.
45
43
Azar, op. cit., p. 253.
44
Azar, op. cit., p. 253.
45
Azar, op. cit., p. 253.
Table 2.7
Adjectives Comparative
Superlative
Important More important
The most important Fascinating
More fascinating The most fascinating
Adapted from Betty Schrampfer Azar; Fundamentals of English Grammar
c. Irregular Comparison Comparison of adjective is not only having regular adjectives but
also there are irregular adjectives for comparative and superlative forms. Parrot pointed out irregular adjective in comparative and
superlative degree. The table shows some of the most common irregular forms.
46
Table 2.8 Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms
Adjectivesadverb Comparative
Superlative
Good Better
Best Well
Better Best
Bad Worse
Worst Badly
Worse Worst
Far Fartherfurther
Farthestfurthest Old
Elder Eldest
Farther and farthest generally refer only to distance; further and furthest can also have abstract meaning.
Older and oldest are the standard forms. The use elder and eldest only talks about family relationship, and only normally before a
noun.
46
Parrot, op. cit., p. 81.